NASHVILLE (AP) — The Country Music Association Foundation recently donated $1.2 million to Nashville public schools.

The money was raised at the 2012 CMA Music Festival, and it benefits the school system's Keep the Music Playing campaign.

The festival has raised more than $6.5 million for the music program since 2006.

This money has been used to build music labs and purchase instruments and supplies for all 144 Metro schools through a partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation.

According to a news release from the CMA, Metro's performing arts students have a 96 percent graduation rate compared with 78 percent for the general population.

Sixty percent of Metro students are involved in music education classes — including 100 percent of elementary school students.